The Peninsula
Al Duhail striker Michael Olunga is hoping his team to regain the Qatar Cup title with a win over Al Sadd after falling against their rivals in the two previous finals of the tournament.
The Qatar football giants will lock horns for the crown tomorrow with the eagerly-awaited final set to kick off at 10pm at Al Sadd’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
The short tournament that features top four sides of the top flight QNB Stars League (QSL), returned after a year’s break with Al Sadd winning back-to-back titles after 4-0 and 2-0 victories over Al Duhail in finals of 2020 and 2021 editions respectively.
Al Duhail won the title in 2018 with a 2-1 win over Al Sadd in the final.
The Red Knights, coached Hernan Crespo, are in top form having won the Ooredoo Cup trophy – the first title of the season – last month and are leading the QSL standings.
Relishing the final against Al Sadd, Olunga said Al Duhail were brimming with confidence ahead of the big match.
“The match (Qatar Cup final) will not be easy. We have had a strong morale boost after winning the Ooredoo Cup which also indicates the team’s level,” the Kenyan star told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
“We had lost to Al Sadd in the final of the previous editions of Qatar Cup. This year we hope to be able to compensate and achieve the title. I am very happy as a striker who scores goals and this is my mission and all this with the help of my colleagues. The Qatar Cup title is one match away and therefore we must focus on our resolve to win.
“Our coach has included many young players who have helped us a lot and we will continue to work hard to face Al Sadd and succeed in the final,” he added.
Al Duhail defeated Al Wakrah while Al Sadd outsmarted Al Arabi 3-1 in the semi-finals to set up an exciting final.
Al Sadd, who have been in fine form after domestic season resumed following the FIFA World Cup break, are eyeing hat-trick of titles.
Al Sadd’s Guilherme Torres was expecting a tough fight from Al Duhail, saying focus will be the key in the match.
“League matches are different from tournaments. This match will be very difficult for both teams and we must focus on the rivals’ mistakes besides our own strength to ensure that we win the cup,” the midfielder said yesterday.
“We’ve to focus on beating Al Duhail and winning Qatar Cup. We are determined to win the title and we are working collectively. I will do my best with the team and our great ambition in this confrontation will be to win the trophy.”
“I have learnt in my career that winning is the most important thing. Implementing the coach’s plans will help us and we will play to our strength to achieve victory. The atmosphere of the team is good and we are training hard. Everyone seeks to win the title,” the Brazilian added.
It is expected to be a packed house in the final as organisers are receiving an overwhelming response to tickets sales which started only a few days ago. A fan zone has been set up on the sidelines of the match with gates to open at 8pm.